Diaphragm controlled switch



March 30, 1937. G. B. sAYRE DIAPHRAGM CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed NOV. 20,1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 30, 1937. G. B. SAYRE 2,075,305

DIAPHRAGM CONTROLLED SWTCH Filed Nov. 20, 2 Sheets-Skaail 2 [HVL-H1012am MINES@ @L Qwlwff zra RNE Ys Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES2,075,305 DIAPHRAGM CONTROLLED SWITCH Gordon B. Sayre, Syracuse, N. Y.,assignor, by

mesne assignments, to The Orion Electric Company, Wilmington, Del., acorporation of Dela- Application November 20, 1931, Serial No. 576,319

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a diaphragm controlled switch.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a switch actuated by aflexible diaphragm operable by sub-atmospheric pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suction operated switchincluding a movable diaphragm actuated by suction for changing theposition of a plurality of electrical contacts in order to control theenergization of electrical circuits..

Other objects and advantages relate to the details of the structure,form and arrangement of the apparatus, all as will more fully appearfrom l5 the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure l is a plan view, partly in section, of the diaphragm controlledswitch which is operated in accordance with engine conditions, in thisinstance, used as a sub-atmospheric pressure controlled switch.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 1 1 of Figure 4.

Figure is a sectional diagrammatic View showing the electrical switchingmechanism in its closed position.

Figure 8 is a sectional diagrammatic View showing the electricalswitching mechanism in its open position.

The diaphragm controlled switch of the invention is particularly adaptedto be used in connection with internal combustion engines and anembodiment of the invention is more specifically illustrated in Figuresl to 8. In the preferred form, it comprises a cylindrical body 3|provided with a removable head 32 secured, in this instance .f thereto,by means of screws 33. Clamped between head 32 and cylinder 3| andsealed by gaskets 35 is a iiexible diaphragm 34 of suitable material, asleather, rubber or materials known as fabrikoid composition, dividingthe interior of the cylinder into two chambers and 4|.

In order to have the central portion of diaphragm 34 move in a positiveand substantially parallel relation with respect to head 32, thediaphragm is stiffened by two co-axial circular disks 55 36 placed oneon each side thereof and clamped in (Cl. 20D- 83) position by means of apin 31 passing centrally through the disks and diaphragm andirictionally engaging a sleeve or collar 38. Head 32 ci `the diaphragmcontrolled switch is provided with a passage or port 39 connecting withchamber 4G. The other end of passage 39 may be threaded to accommodatean adjusting screw 43 having its forward end reduced to engage -one endof coil spring 42. The other end of spring 42 fits snugly over sleeve 38thereby urging diaphragm 34 away from head 32.

An external screw 44 provides means for locking screw 43 after thedesired adjustment of the tension of spring 42 has been made. Passage 39may be sealed by means of a screw 45 and gasket 46. At right angles topassage 39 and connected therewith is a second passage 41 leading to theexterior of head 32.

The outer end of passage 41 is provided with internal threads forreceiving a conducting pipe 54 which may be connected'to the intakemanifold of an engine. Passage 41 is slightly restricted at the junctionpoint with passage 39 in order to provide a seat for ball valve 48actuated by spring 49 which is, in turn, retained by an externallythreaded collar 56 threaded into passage 41.

Passage 41 is normally closed, but as soon as a slight sub-atmosphericpressure is produced in the engine manifold, check valve 48 opensagainst the tension of spring 49 and air is withdrawn from chamber 40through passage 39 thereby causing diaphragm 34 to move toward head 32against the tension of spring 42. A bleed passage is provided aroundball valve 43 comprising a passage 51 parallel to passage 39 extendingto chamber 40 and a passage 58 at right angles to passages 41 and 51 andalso connecting the same.

Passage 51 extends to the exterior ot head 32 and is internally threadedto receive an adjusting screw 59 which, when screwed in or out, willregulate the opening between passages 51 and 58 and thereby, the rate ofbleeding of chamber 40. Check valve 48 also provides protection for thesensitive diaphragm 34 against excessive pressure that may` be set up inthe intake manifold due to a back re of an engine.

Within chamber 4| is located a snap switch controlled by the action ofpin 31 in diaphragm 34 against a switch-actuating arm 60. Terminal 30may be in the form of a bolt insulated from cylinder 3|, as lshown inFigure 5. A second bolt BI similarly insulated, may be used inconjunction with terminal 30 for supporting a bridgto eiect a closing ofcontacts 53 and 64.

ing member or contact carrier 62 upon which is mounted switch contact63.

Contact 64 is carried by a Y-shaped switch arm 65. The extremities ofthe two symmetrical arms of switch arm 65 are provided with notches, aslshown at 66. A U-shaped bracket 61 having its lateral ends bent atright angles to form projecting support 69 may be secured to the xedhead of cylinder 3| by screws 68, as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

The projecting supports 69 may be notched at their upper ends to receivethe notched end 66 of switch arm 65 thereby providing a support thatwill permit the rocking of the switch arm 65. Switch actuating arm 6Dmay be seated at its lower end in an annular groove 'l0 formed near oneend of post 'H mounted on U-shaped bracket 6l, as shown.

A coil spring 'l2 is suspended from hole 13 in arm 65 to an opening *i6in arm 6B. This spring vmaintains arm 65 in tight relation with the Thisnotched seats at 66 and in brackets 69. spring also provides thenecessary tension for the snap action in opening and closing contacts 63and 66.

The opening and closing of contacts 63 and 6d is effected by themovement of actuating arm 66. It will be noted that arm 60 is providedwith an oiset portion i4 adapted to contact with pin 3l in diaphragm35i.

Figure 'l shows the switch in the closed position. The force of pin il?on portion i4 of arm @il is indicated by an arrow which shows thatspring ii2 is urging diaphragm Sli against arm 60 Arm t@ pivots ingroove l0 on post 7| thereby moving coil spring '12 to the right untilthe line of tension of the spring crosses to the right oi the plane ofswitch arm 65. When this position is reached, switch arm 66 will snapsharply to the right, closing contacts and 65. Now, when a partialvacuum is created in the engine intake manifold, diaphragm ,iii will bedrawn against the tension oi spring :l2 allowing lever 66 and coilspring 'i2 to return to their normal position, as shown in Figure 8. Inso doing, the line of tension in spring 'i2 moves to the left past theplane of switch arm 65 and the latter snaps to the left separatingcontacts (i3 and 64.

A stop member l5 secured to the wall of cylinder 3l limits the movementof switch arm 65 away from contact 63. It will be noted that contact 63is carried by a member 62 which is insulated from cylinder Si. ContactE4 is carried by switch arm 65 which is directly in contact with bracket6l, the latter being grounded to the fixed head oi cylinder 3i.

When contacts 63 and 64 are closed, the electrical circuit is completedfrom terminal 30 to ground through the switch casing by way of theintake manifold or" an engine.

If, for any reason, the engine should stall with the ignition on afterthe manifold reaches atmospheric pressure, air will bleed into chamber46 through passages 56 and 5l which is restricted to the desired extentby adjusting screw 59. This restriction, caused by screw 59, is soproportioned that the engine will cease rocking before contacts 63 and64 close under the actuation of spring 42. However, when the enginestops, spring 42 urges diaphragm 34 against actuating arm 60 whichcauses contacts 63 and 64 to close.

It will be apparent that the diaphragm controlled switch may be operatedby and in accordance with internal combustion engine conditions,

and although I have shown and described a vacuum operated diaphragmcontrolled switch, it will be apparent that such diaphragm controlledswitch can be operated in variousways as, for instance, by oil pressurein the engine system, circulation of water in the cooling system,suction of air in the carburetor, suction produced by a separate vacuumpump driven from the engine, flow of gasoline to the carburetor, rotarymotion produced by the crank shaft, air produced by the fan, pressureexisting in the exhaust system or any combination of one or more of theabove, and although I have shown and described a particular circuitarrangement and particular construction or relation, I do not desire torestrict myself to the details of form, construction or arrangement, asvarious'changes and modications may be made, without departing from thespirit of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A diaphragm controlled switch comprising a casing, a removable headtherefor, a flexible diaphragm retained between said head and saidcasing providing a suction chamber between said head and said diaphragm,a snap switch within.

said casing, a suction passage communicating from said suction chamberto the intake manifold of the engine for evacuating said chamber wherebysaid diaphragm is drawn toward said head, an adjustable member coactingwith said diaphragm for opposing its movement toward said head, a checkvalve within said passage for sealing the same as soon as the enginestops, a bleed passage around said check valve, means accessible fromthe exterior of said casing for adjusting said bleed passage for settingthe time interval for the return of said diaphragm to its normalposition.

2. A diaphragm controlled switch comprising a cylindrical casing, aremovable head therefor, a flexible diaphragm retained between said headand said casing providing a suction chamber between said head and saiddiaphragm, a snap switch within said casing having an actuating leverfor opening and closing the switch contacts, a suction passagecommunicating from said suction chamber to the intake manifold of theengine for evacuating said chamber whereby said diaphragm is drawntowards said head, a resilient member located between said diaphragm andsaid casing for opposing movement of said diaphragm, means to adjust thetension of said resilient member, a check valve within said passage forsealing the same as soon as the engine stops, an adjustable bleedpassage around said check valve for accurately setting the time intervalfor the return of said diaphragm to its normal position, said actuatinglever being in Contact with said diaphragm to open and close said switchin accordance with said movement of said diaphragm.

3. A diaphragm controlled switch comprising a casing, a removable headtherefor, a flexible diaphragm retained between said casing and saidhead providing a suction chamber between said head and said diaphragm, aswitch within said casing, an actuating lever therefor, resilient meansfor normally maintaining said diaphragm in contact with said actuatinglever to maintain said switch in the closed position, means foradjusting said resilient means, a suction passage for subjecting thespace between said diaphragm and said head to a sub-atmospheric pressurefor withdrawing said diaphragm against said resilient means to effect anopening of said switch, a check with said switch actuating lever, saidspringV valve within said passage for sealing the same as soon as thepressure increases, and an adjustable bleed passage around said checkvalve for accurately setting the time interval for the return of saiddiaphragm to its normal position for closing said switch.

4. A diaphragm controlled switch comprising a cylindrical casing, aremovable head therefor, a flexible diaphragm retained between saidcasing and said head, a snap switch within said casing, an actuatinglever therefor, spring means for normally maintaining said diaphragm incontact with said actuating lever to maintain said switch in the closedposition, means to adjust 16 the tension of said spring means, means tolock in position said adjusting means, said head being provided with apassageway for subjecting the space between said diaphragm and said headto a sub-atmospheric pressure for withdrawing said 20 diaphragm againstsaid spring means to eflect an opening of said switch, a check valvewithin said passageway for closing the same when the sub-atmosphericpressure is removed, and an adjustable bleed passage around said checkvalve 25 ,to permit said diaphragm to return to its normalspring-pressed position after a predetermined time interval upon removalof said sub-atmospheric pressure.

5. A diaphragm controlled switch comprising a 30 casing, a snap switchhaving two contacts within said casing, one of said contacts beinginsulated from and secured to said casing, the other contact beingmounted on a rocking switch arm, a switch actuating lever resilientlyconnected to 35 said switch arm. a diaphragm within said casing, aspring member between said diaphragm and said casing for urging saiddiaphragm in contact member also acting to oppose movement oi' saiddiaphragm toward or away from said casing, and means accessible from theexterior of said casing for adjusting said spring member.

6. A diaphragm controlled switch comprising a casing, a snap switchwithin said casing comprising two contacts, one of which is insulatinglymounted to said casing, a rocking switch arm for carrying the otherswitch contact and having two diverging extensions, the extremities oi'which are provided with notches, a support member secured to said casinghaving two spaced notches. the planes of which are at righi angles toand are adapted to respectively operatively engage the notches on saidswitch arm extensions, a switch actuating lever resiliently connectedbetween said support member and said switch arm for actuating the latterand for maintaining it seated in the notch support, a diaphragm withinsaid casing normally spring-pressed to contact with saidswitch-actuating lever to maintain said switch contacts closed, saiddiaphragm dividing said casing into two chambers, one of which is asuction chamber and the other a chamber for retaining said switch, asuction passage communicating from said suction chamber to the intakemanifold of the engine for evacuating said chamber whereby saiddiaphragm is withdrawn from said actuating lever, a check valve withinsaid passage for sealing the same as soon as the engine stops, a

bleed passage around said check valve and means accessible from theexterior of said casing for accurately setting the time interval for thereturn of said diaphragm to its normal position. for closing saidcontacts.

GORDON B. SAYRE.

